KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AS A SOURCE OF SUSTAINABLE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES: FROM COMPETENCIES TO KNOW-HOW
Keywords:
knowledge, knowledge management, intellectual capital, core competencies, know-how, digital economy, resource-based view, innovation market
Abstract
This research substantiates the vital necessity of positioning knowledge management as a core strategic model for achieving sustainable competitive advantages in modern intellectual and digital economies. The primary objective is to analyze the conceptual logic through which digital knowledge processes facilitate the formation of organizational competencies and the structuring of intellectual capital. The significance of this topic arises from the global transition from tangible assets toward intellectual resources. Grounded in a systemic approach and the resource-based view, the methodology constructs a transformation chain that converts input knowledge into dynamic capabilities and market value. The study demonstrates that knowledge management is essentially a humanitarian technology, where the human factor determines eighty percent of success. By distinguishing between the digital and knowledge economies, the research mitigates the risk of reducing strategic management to technical data administration. Consequently, the paper proposes a paradigm shift in viewing the organization not as a mechanistic system for data processing, but as a living organism capable of self-renewal through the continuous generation of corporate intelligence. Particular emphasis is placed on the synergistic approach, which redefines organizational instability not as a crisis but as a deliberate state essential for fostering creativity and self-organization. Additionally, the paper clarifies how the synergy between human, structural, and relational capital transforms basic resources into unique core competencies that are difficult for competitors to replicate. Furthermore, the dual nature of know-how is analysed both as a production function ensuring operational efficiency and as a specific form of intellectual property that generates royalty income. Its practical value consists of a comprehensive roadmap for organizational transformation toward a humanistic management model that enhances innovation potential. Ultimately, the proposed classification of know-how by its market manifestations provides a tool for the effective commercialization of intellectual labor, ensuring stable and profitable corporate growth.
References
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20. WIPO. A Primer on Technology Transfer in the Field of Biotechnology. Geneva: WIPO, 2025. DOI: 10.34667/tind.50126.
1. Anilovska H. Ya., Kostyrko V. S., Rekhletskyi Ye. A. (2023) Tsyfrova transformatsiia yevropeiskoho suspilstva [Digital transformation of European society]. Akademichni vizii – Academic Visions, no. 24. Available at: https://academyvision.org/index.php/av/article/view/659 (in Ukrainian)
2. Dyakiv O., Shushpanov D., Prokhorovska S., Ostroverkhov V., Kotsur A., Khlypovka O. (2024) Tsyfrova transformatsiia v upravlinni personalom: vyklyky ta mozhlyvosti [Digital transformation in human resource management: Challenges and opportunities]. Ekonomichnyi analiz – Economic Analysis, vol. 34(4), pp. 213–238. (in Ukrainian)
3. Zubkov S. O., Kolesnyk A. O. (2025) Formuvannia tsyfrovoi stratehii pidpryiemstva na osnovi ekosystemnoho pidkhodu [Development of enterprise digital strategy based on the ecosystem approach]. Ukrainskyi zhurnal prykladnoi ekonomiky ta tekhniky – Ukrainian Journal of Applied Economics and Technology, vol. 10(1), pp. 283–289. (in Ukrainian)
4. Korablyov M. M., Lutskyy S. V. (2022) Systemno-informatsiini modeli dlia intelektualnoho obroblennia informatsii [System-information models for intelligent information processing]. Suchasnyi stan naukovykh doslidzhen ta tekhnolohii v promyslovosti – Innovative Technologies and Scientific Solutions for Industries, no. 3(21), pp. 26–38. (in Ukrainian)
5. Kulyk Yu. Ye. (2022) Alhorytm upravlinnia profesiinym rozvytkom menedzheriv mizhnarodnykh kompanii [Algorithm of professional development management of managers of international companies]. Svitova ekonomika ta hlobalne pidpryiemnytstvo – World Economy and Global Entrepreneurship, no. 48, pp. 131–142. (in Ukrainian)
6. Oleksiv I. B., Mirzoieva D. R. (2022) Ekonomichna skladnist ta ekonomika znan: dyfuziia znan yak faktor ekonomichnoho zrostannia [Economic complexity and knowledge economy: Diffusion of the knowledge as a factor for economic growth]. Menedzhment ta pidpryiemnytstvo v Ukraini: etapy stanovlennia ta problemy rozvytku – Management and Entrepreneurship in Ukraine: Stages of Formation and Problems of Development, vol. 1(7), pp. 224–230. (in Ukrainian)
7. Adesemoye O. E. et al. (2023) Valuing intangible assets in the digital economy: A conceptual advancement in financial analysis models. International Journal of Social Science Exceptional Research, vol. 2(1), pp. 277–291.
8. Aqualambeng S. (2025) Relational theory in organizational policy: A comprehensive literature review. Management Studies, vol. 13(3), pp. 109–115.
9. Arofah B. S., Harsono M. (2025) The influence of intellectual capital on innovation performance: The mediating role of knowledge sharing and innovation culture. International Journal of Current Science Research and Review, vol. 8(1), pp. 116–130.
10. Carpuat M. et al. (2025) An interdisciplinary approach to human-centered machine translation. EMNLP 2025 Proceedings, pp. 22871–22891.
11. Ghasemi Y., Hajalian F., Jahangirfard M. (2025) Foresight in human resource management in knowledge-based companies. Journal of Resource Management and Decision Engineering, vol. 4(2), pp. 1–12.
12. Ide E., Talamàs E. (2025) Artificial intelligence in the knowledge economy. IESE Business School Working Paper.
13. Ivinić F., Zemla S., Zemla N. (2025) The relationship between intellectual capital and innovations. Athens Journal of Business & Economics, vol. 11(2), pp. 197–210.
14. Jasim B. H. (2025) Strategic management for sustainable competitive advantage: Integrating RBV, dynamic capabilities, digital transformation, and ESG. South Asian Research Journal of Business and Management, vol. 7(5), pp. 420–423.
15. Melero E., Palomeras N., Simeth M. (2025) From invention to innovation: The role of inventors in bringing their technologies to the market. Copenhagen Business School Working Paper.
16. Nasir Salihu M. (2025) Knowledge management in the digital era: Leveraging technology for effective organizational performance. Sustainability for Better Humanity, Bangkok, pp. 891–926.
17. Phan A., Le T. H. T. (2024) Intellectual capital and bank performance: A board of directors’ agenda. Corporate Board: Role, Duties and Composition, vol. 20(3), pp. 128–138.
18. Rehman S. U. et al. (2025) Exploring the role of knowledge management and organizational agility in an emerging market. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, vol. 10, art. 100761.
19. Thompson-Bahm H., Teixeira J. E., Lobo R. C. G. (2025) Enhancing sustainability and human centricity through emerging technologies from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0. Corporate Governance and Sustainability Review, vol. 9(3), pp. 90–104.
20. WIPO (2025) A Primer on Technology Transfer in the Field of Biotechnology. Geneva: World Intellectual Property Organization.
2. Дяків О. та ін. Цифрова трансформація в управлінні персоналом: виклики та можливості. Економічний аналіз. 2024. Т. 34, № 4. С. 213–238. DOI: https://doi.org/10.35774/econa2024.04.213.
3. Зубков С. О., Колесник А. О. Формування цифрової стратегії підприємства на основі екосистемного підходу. Український журнал прикладної економіки та техніки. 2025. Т. 10, № 1. С. 283–289. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36887/2415-8453-2025-1-47.
4. Корабльов М. М., Луцький С. В. Системно-інформаційні моделі для інтелектуального оброблення інформації. Сучасний стан наукових досліджень та технологій в промисловості. 2022. № 3 (21). С. 26–38. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30837/ITSSI.2022.21.026.
5. Кулик Ю. Є. Алгоритм управління професійним розвитком менеджерів міжнародних компаній. Світова економіка та глобальне підприємництво. 2022. № 48. С. 131–142. DOI: 10.33111/EE.2022.48.KulykY.
6. Олексів І. Б., Мірзоєва Д. Р. Економічна складність та економіка знань: дифузія знань як фактор економічного зростання. Менеджмент та підприємництво в Україні: етапи становлення та проблеми розвитку. 2022. № 1 (7). С. 224–230.
7. Adesemoye O. E. et al. Valuing Intangible Assets in the Digital Economy: A Conceptual Advancement in Financial Analysis Models. International Journal of Social Science Exceptional Research. 2023. Vol. 02, Is. 01. P. 277–291. DOI: https://doi.org/10.54660/IJSSER.2023.2.1.277-291.
8. Aqualambeng S. Relational Theory in Organizational Policy: A Comprehensive Literature Review. Management Studies. 2025. Vol. 13, No. 3. P. 109–115. DOI: 10.17265/2328-2185/2025.03.003.
9. Arofah B. S., Harsono M. The Influence of Intellectual Capital on Innovation Performance: The Mediating Role of Knowledge Sharing and Innovation Culture. International Journal of Current Science Research and Review. 2025. Vol. 08, Is. 01. P. 116–130. DOI: 10.47191/ijcsrr/V8-i1-12.
10. Carpuat M. et al. An Interdisciplinary Approach to Human-Centered Machine Translation. 2025 EMNLP Main. 2025. P. 1–25.
11. Ghasemi Y., Hajalian F., Jahangirfard M. Foresight in Human Resource Management in Knowledge-Based Companies. Journal of Resource Management and Decision Engineering. 2025. Vol. 4, Is. 2. P. 1–12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jrmde.4.2.4.
12. Ide E., Talamàs E. Artificial Intelligence in the Knowledge Economy. IESE Business School Working Paper. 2025. URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/2312.05481.
13. Ivinić F., Zemla S., Zemla N. The Relationship between Intellectual Capital and Innovations. Athens Journal of Business & Economics. 2025. Vol. 11, Is. 2. P. 197–210. DOI: 10.30958/ajbe.11-2-4.
14. Jasim B. H. Strategic Management for Sustainable Competitive Advantage: Integrating RBV, Dynamic Capabilities, Digital Transformation, and ESG. South Asian Research Journal of Business and Management. 2025. Vol. 7, Is. 5. P. 420–423. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36346/sarjbm.2025.v07i05.003.
15. Melero E., Palomeras N., Simeth M. From Invention to Innovation: The Role of Inventors in Bringing their Technologies to the Market. Copenhagen Business School Working Paper. 2025.
16. Nasir Salihu M. Knowledge Management in the Digital Era: Leveraging Technology for Effective Organizational Performance. Sustainability for Better Humanity. Bangkok, 2025. P. 1–10.
17. Phan A., Le T. H. T. Intellectual capital and bank performance: A board of directors’ agenda. Corporate Board: Role, Duties and Composition. 2024. Vol. 20, Is. 3. P. 128–138. DOI: 10.22495/cbv20i3art12.
18. Rehman S. U. et al. Exploring the role of knowledge management and organizational agility in an emerging market. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge. 2025. Vol. 10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2025.100761.
19. Thompson-Bahm H., Teixeira J. E., Lobo R. C. G. Enhancing sustainability and human centricity through emerging technologies from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0. Corporate Governance and Sustainability Review. 2025. Vol. 9, Is. 3. P. 90–104. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22495/cgsrv9i3p7.
20. WIPO. A Primer on Technology Transfer in the Field of Biotechnology. Geneva: WIPO, 2025. DOI: 10.34667/tind.50126.
1. Anilovska H. Ya., Kostyrko V. S., Rekhletskyi Ye. A. (2023) Tsyfrova transformatsiia yevropeiskoho suspilstva [Digital transformation of European society]. Akademichni vizii – Academic Visions, no. 24. Available at: https://academyvision.org/index.php/av/article/view/659 (in Ukrainian)
2. Dyakiv O., Shushpanov D., Prokhorovska S., Ostroverkhov V., Kotsur A., Khlypovka O. (2024) Tsyfrova transformatsiia v upravlinni personalom: vyklyky ta mozhlyvosti [Digital transformation in human resource management: Challenges and opportunities]. Ekonomichnyi analiz – Economic Analysis, vol. 34(4), pp. 213–238. (in Ukrainian)
3. Zubkov S. O., Kolesnyk A. O. (2025) Formuvannia tsyfrovoi stratehii pidpryiemstva na osnovi ekosystemnoho pidkhodu [Development of enterprise digital strategy based on the ecosystem approach]. Ukrainskyi zhurnal prykladnoi ekonomiky ta tekhniky – Ukrainian Journal of Applied Economics and Technology, vol. 10(1), pp. 283–289. (in Ukrainian)
4. Korablyov M. M., Lutskyy S. V. (2022) Systemno-informatsiini modeli dlia intelektualnoho obroblennia informatsii [System-information models for intelligent information processing]. Suchasnyi stan naukovykh doslidzhen ta tekhnolohii v promyslovosti – Innovative Technologies and Scientific Solutions for Industries, no. 3(21), pp. 26–38. (in Ukrainian)
5. Kulyk Yu. Ye. (2022) Alhorytm upravlinnia profesiinym rozvytkom menedzheriv mizhnarodnykh kompanii [Algorithm of professional development management of managers of international companies]. Svitova ekonomika ta hlobalne pidpryiemnytstvo – World Economy and Global Entrepreneurship, no. 48, pp. 131–142. (in Ukrainian)
6. Oleksiv I. B., Mirzoieva D. R. (2022) Ekonomichna skladnist ta ekonomika znan: dyfuziia znan yak faktor ekonomichnoho zrostannia [Economic complexity and knowledge economy: Diffusion of the knowledge as a factor for economic growth]. Menedzhment ta pidpryiemnytstvo v Ukraini: etapy stanovlennia ta problemy rozvytku – Management and Entrepreneurship in Ukraine: Stages of Formation and Problems of Development, vol. 1(7), pp. 224–230. (in Ukrainian)
7. Adesemoye O. E. et al. (2023) Valuing intangible assets in the digital economy: A conceptual advancement in financial analysis models. International Journal of Social Science Exceptional Research, vol. 2(1), pp. 277–291.
8. Aqualambeng S. (2025) Relational theory in organizational policy: A comprehensive literature review. Management Studies, vol. 13(3), pp. 109–115.
9. Arofah B. S., Harsono M. (2025) The influence of intellectual capital on innovation performance: The mediating role of knowledge sharing and innovation culture. International Journal of Current Science Research and Review, vol. 8(1), pp. 116–130.
10. Carpuat M. et al. (2025) An interdisciplinary approach to human-centered machine translation. EMNLP 2025 Proceedings, pp. 22871–22891.
11. Ghasemi Y., Hajalian F., Jahangirfard M. (2025) Foresight in human resource management in knowledge-based companies. Journal of Resource Management and Decision Engineering, vol. 4(2), pp. 1–12.
12. Ide E., Talamàs E. (2025) Artificial intelligence in the knowledge economy. IESE Business School Working Paper.
13. Ivinić F., Zemla S., Zemla N. (2025) The relationship between intellectual capital and innovations. Athens Journal of Business & Economics, vol. 11(2), pp. 197–210.
14. Jasim B. H. (2025) Strategic management for sustainable competitive advantage: Integrating RBV, dynamic capabilities, digital transformation, and ESG. South Asian Research Journal of Business and Management, vol. 7(5), pp. 420–423.
15. Melero E., Palomeras N., Simeth M. (2025) From invention to innovation: The role of inventors in bringing their technologies to the market. Copenhagen Business School Working Paper.
16. Nasir Salihu M. (2025) Knowledge management in the digital era: Leveraging technology for effective organizational performance. Sustainability for Better Humanity, Bangkok, pp. 891–926.
17. Phan A., Le T. H. T. (2024) Intellectual capital and bank performance: A board of directors’ agenda. Corporate Board: Role, Duties and Composition, vol. 20(3), pp. 128–138.
18. Rehman S. U. et al. (2025) Exploring the role of knowledge management and organizational agility in an emerging market. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, vol. 10, art. 100761.
19. Thompson-Bahm H., Teixeira J. E., Lobo R. C. G. (2025) Enhancing sustainability and human centricity through emerging technologies from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0. Corporate Governance and Sustainability Review, vol. 9(3), pp. 90–104.
20. WIPO (2025) A Primer on Technology Transfer in the Field of Biotechnology. Geneva: World Intellectual Property Organization.
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Published
2025-11-24
How to Cite
Serhiienko, O., Tonieva, K., & Khrystoforova, O. (2025). KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AS A SOURCE OF SUSTAINABLE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES: FROM COMPETENCIES TO KNOW-HOW. Economy and Society, (81). https://doi.org/10.32782/2524-0072/2025-81-110
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